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03-27-2008, 04:01 PM
|  | Retired Forum Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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| |  12 hour Tewksbury kilt odyssey
Well I have wrapped around my waist right now my new 8 yard 16 oz Royal Naval Tartan kilt by Barb Tewksbury, this kilt, rather the idea of this kilt has been on my mind for close to a year now. Last summer Alex published on of his wonderful photo threads the one I'm referring to was his coverage of the Harpenden Games in that thread there is a picture of a gent wearing the Royal Naval Association Tartan, when I saw it I thought to myself I must have that tartan, as my Uncle was in the Royal Navy during WWII, after he passed away last October my obsession with it grew. I really had to have this to honour him. I decided for this kilt what I wanted was 8 yards hand sewn 16oz's. So the question was how could I get to do it? I decided on getting Barb Tewksbury to sew it up for me, so I got in contact with her, and set the wheels in motion, Barb then got in touch with DC Daglish to do the weave, and I am so glad she did as the wool is softer than any of my other wool kilts.
The tartan was ready at the beginning of March and Barb got to work, asking me questions along the way to ensure that everyone would end up happy. Over the past few weeks and days the emails have been flying back and forth, yesterday I received the email I had been waiting on, Barb said she would be done with it and send it out in the morning, I asked her if I could pick it up instead as Canada customs already has my sporran I did not want them getting a hold of my kilt as well. Barb was fine with that so I decided I would go to bed early and get a fresh start in the morning, only problem is I was so excited I could not sleep very well, after finally turning in around 11:00 I woke up at 3:30 I was on the road by 4:30 and across the border and in the States before 6:00. I reached the College where Barb works just after 9:00. We had planned that I would be later in the day however that would have meant dealing with rush hour traffic and I was not to fond of that idea, as a consequence Barb was not quite done with the kilt. So as we talked she finished it up in front of me, if you've never seen the basting that goes into a kilt like this you would be amazed it's more than just the three rows across the pleats let me tell you.
Barb before I get to the photos I just wanted to say what a treat it has been not only to have you do this kilt for me as it is very important to me but also to meet you and David this morning, it was definitely worth the drive down.
So without further ado the photos
First the pleating choices Barb sent me, we decided to go with the first one, but it was nice to see the choice  
When I arrived this morning, I found Barb with my kilt 
As I said she was not quite done yet so as we talked she sewed, I hope I didn't rush you Barb 
Barb then painstakingly took out all the basting stitches and thekilt was laid flat 
After those photos were taken I was able to try it on, the fit and finish of the kilt were perfect, Barb was kind enough to take these photos 
the infamous side view with the foot up on something, as there was nothing to be found we improvised 
And a shot of those lovely pleats 
Thanks again Barb for doing such a wonderful job on this kilt it really does mean the world to me, my Uncle McMurdo would have absolutely loved it and I will be sure to wear it the next time I see my Aunt, I am sure she too will love it.
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- George Orwell, 1984, Book 1, Chapter 3
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03-27-2008, 04:16 PM
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Glen, that is beautiful. I'm near speechless, thanks for sharing the pictures, and as importantly, the story.
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03-27-2008, 04:24 PM
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A Tewksbury kilt taken from the very from the hand of Barb herself!
It looks beautiful, kudos to Barb (yet again  )
Cheers
Jamie
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03-27-2008, 04:28 PM
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That's a wonderful kilt and it really must have been interesting to see it being finished! I got a good look at a Confederate Memorial tartan kilt, at the Stone Mountain Games, that (I believe) was also made by Mrs. Tewksbury. She does a fine job. 
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by davidlpope  ...I see you've also mastered the steely glint in the eye that Lamar's photo always display. You two are sort of the Sith of the Tartan world..."Always a master and a pupil" | Quote:
Originally Posted by tundramanq I found quickly that passing gas while peeing kilted is a form of suicide... | |
03-27-2008, 04:32 PM
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Gorgeous...simply gorgeous....
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03-27-2008, 04:33 PM
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A day well spent Glen congratulations. When we discussed this the other week I was stunned at how affordable a Tewkesbury is.
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03-27-2008, 04:42 PM
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FANTASTIC GLEN!!!
I'm very happy for you. It must be SO fulfilling.
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03-27-2008, 04:42 PM
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Yeah, what I said about the jones in the other thread - double now.
You look great. Congratulations on your new tank.
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03-27-2008, 04:49 PM
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What you saved on Customs charges etc. no doubt paid for the fuel. 
Yes I can understand your reasoning for the stripe Glen and who can blame you for travelling on the Jones urge and the joy of meeting Barb in person. 
Three years ago this week I was enjoying driving the highways and byways of northern NY and Southern Ontario myself so I know you must have had an enjoyable journey. 
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Cymru, Yr Alban, Iwerddon, Cernyw, Ynys Manau a Lydaw am byth! Yng Nghiltiau Ynghyd!
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03-27-2008, 04:54 PM
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I was just thinking about, it is quite possible that this is the first kilt in this tartan in North America. That makes it even more special I think.
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"If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say this or that even, it never happened—that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death."
- George Orwell, 1984, Book 1, Chapter 3
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